Family Search & Engagement Specialist

What is Youth Villages?

Youth Villages has been a national leader in the adoption and implementation of research-based treatment philosophies in the field of children's mental and behavioral health. Our commitment to helping troubled children and their families find success spans 30+ years and includes a comprehensive array of programs and services.

If you are looking for a positive career move where you are meeting the challenges of life and striving to make a positive difference, then Youth Villages is the place for you. We are looking for people with a strong sense of purpose and focus to continually build confidence in yourself and our organization.

Position Summary

This position includes engaging social services agencies to identify youth where family finding is needed; and to gather materials for a strong assessment of the family and community. Once connections are found, the specialist contacts them to determine interest and appropriateness for connecting with the child and serving as a resource or support. The Specialist then works to support youth in developing meaningful connections, strengthening their sense of identity, and assessing the living arrangements to be safe and preventing re-entry into the foster care system.

Additionally, the Specialist will have responsibilities related to engaging community and DCFS stakeholders to establish high levels of communication and collaboration.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned:

• Conducts a viable family search
• Conducts family assessments
• Contacts any biological relatives or other adult kinship or fictive kin
• Meets with the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) case workers to gather verbal and written information about youth and families
• Contacts previous or current mental health and/or physical health providers to gather pertinent information about the youth/family that is vital to comprehensive care
• Contacts previous or current educational institutions
• Meets regularly with the agency leadership
• Effectively manages and navigates through family search engines
• Implements indicated assessment tools
• Build positive relationships with DCFS and others, pursuing case referrals through family finding work
• Establish relationships with key community providers including psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health centers, school groups, community groups, juvenile court personnel, human services workers, and social workers
• Respond to customer service needs and monitor customer satisfaction
• Maintain ongoing contact with key referral sources

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in social services discipline with experience working with at-risk youth, adults, or families is required
• A Master's degree in a social services discipline is preferred
• Degrees that can be considered include: social work, drug and alcohol education or counseling, psychology, criminal justice, guidance counseling, or marriage and family therapy. Other degrees will have to be evaluated further to determine if they meet the qualifications
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Excellent written, verbal, and oral skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Basic computer knowledge
• Ability to maintain a flexible schedule

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Prescription Drug Coverage and Vision
• 401(k)
• 2 weeks paid vacation
• 12 paid sick days per year
• 11 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Mileage & Cell Phone Reimbursement (when applicable)
• Tuition reimbursement and licensure supervision
• Growth & development through continuous training
• Clinical and administrative advancement opportunities

Youth Villages is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Youth Villages is committed to not only advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace but also in our work with children and young adults. We know that children, families and young people of color can face inequity in child welfare and justice systems, and we train our employees to build the skills they need to work with the communities that we serve, as well as, other employees from different cultures and backgrounds. Youth Villages is opposed to racism in any of its forms and is committed to inclusion, equity, and diversity. We believe that respect for each other is crucial in the work that we do each day.